Perforator



Dec.. 26, 1939. WAGNER 2,185,005

PERFORATOR Filed 001). 20, 1938 l lll', yIl

v Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE Safety Fastener Co.,

Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October Z0, 1.938, Serial No. 235,999

11 Claims.

More particularly, this invention relates to a.

perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms with a i male die member on one of the arms for regis-' 10- tration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of the arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, there being means on the piece for gauging the location of the perforation simultaneously laterally and longitudinally of the sheet.

In order to bind sheets into covers, folders, iile drawers and the like, it is. desirable to provide binding holes in the sheets and such binding holes necessitate accuracy in placement thereof on the sheets so that the edgesl of the sheets are in alignment. The sheets are bound ordinarily by paper fasteners and the two-prong type is in common use. For convenience in manufacture, the prongs of the paper fasteners are spaced 25 apart predetermined standard distances.

In perforating sheets to be received by paper fasteners of the above type it is desirable that each sheet to beperforated have the perforations gauged the standard distances between prongs of 30 the paper fasteners and also to gauge the perforations a standard distance from the binding edge of the sheet. Obviously, it is desirable that the binding holes be spacedl equi-distantly or at a fixed distance from the center of the binding 35 edge of the sheet. Perforators now in common use employ two punch heads separated by a fixed spacing with the perforations being related to the edge and center of the binding edge of the sheet by separable adjustable means. Perforators of this type are comparatively expensive and are likewise cumbersome. Types of perforators having a single die member of which applicant has knowledge gauge distances between perforations separately and require adjustment` before use,

with the perforating being done one hole at a time.

It is one object of this invention to provide a perforator of the type indicated above which is simple in operation, is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, is of small size, and is durable.

It is another object of this invention to provide a perforator of the character indicated above in which perforations may be accurately spaced and centered in three directions, that is, uniform- 1y spaced between holes, uniformly spaced from the binding edge of the sheet, and equi-distantly spaced from the center of the sheet.

' It is a further object of this invention to providea perforator of the type hereinabove noted which is capable of gauging more than one standard spacing between holes Without requiring me chanical adjustment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together ,with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is an elevational view in plan of the perforator embodying the features of this invention, the perforator being shown in position prior to the final bending operation to form opposed arms; Y f

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal sec tional view of the perforator of Fig, 1 in a completed state; v

Fig. 3 is a plan elevational View of the perforatorY of Fig. 2, showing the position thereof with respect to a sheet tobe perforated;

Fig. 4 is a plan elevational view'of a fragmentary portion of the perforator of Fig. 2, showing its position with respect to another sheet to be perforated; and

l'ig.` 5 is a plan view ofv a fragmental portion of a perforated sheet showing its relation to a fastener base.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the vperforator I is shown as comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms II and I2.` Annular embossments I3 and I4 are formed in the arms Il and l2 respectively adjacent the free ends of the arms with longitudinal embossments I5 and I6 extending from the annular embossments over a major p0rtion of the length of the arms.

The material I'I between the annular emboss' end portions of the arms toward each other to` provide fulcrums at the junctures of the free end and offset portions for the flexing of the arms. The oset portions 22 thus formed effect a permanent set of the arms relative to the plane of A exure thereof so that the projection 2@ and the aperture l are in axial alignment, the offset portions being preferably formed while the projection and aperture are held in an axially aligned position.

Aprojection 23 is preferably out and deformed from the material of the arm il to extend in the direction of the arm l2 kto act as a gauge .to locate a perforation or perforations to be made in the sheet. It may be desirable to`have the free end of the projection terminate closely adjacent to the arm l2 for substantially limiting the flexing movement of the arms to the free end portions thereof extending in a plane beyond the projection 23. A second projection 2d is likewise cut and deformed from the material preferably of the arm li to extend in the direction of the other arm l2, the projection being preferably of L-shape and extending to a point midway of the normal spacing between the arms. The projection 2li acts as a gauge to determine the location of a perforation or of perforations to be made in the sheet, the projections 23 and 2d being selectively employed for gauging the locations of the perforations.

A flange 25 is preferably formed integrally with and extends longitudinally along one side of the arm l i and in thel direction of the arm i2 terminating preferably slightly short of the L-shaped projection 2li. The flange 25 also acts to predetermine the location of a perforation or perforations to be cut in the sheet.

In the operation of the perforator above described, to perforate a sheet with the widest spacing between perforations, the sheet is doubled with matched edges and pinched together at the fold to locate the center thereof, the condition of the sheet being shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 and the folded sheet being indicated by the numeral 26. IThe folded sheet 26 is inserted between the arms El and l2 of the perforator, fold rst, with the binding edge against the flange 2&5, the sheet being carried under and past the projection Ziel with the edge of the folded central portion engaging the projection 23. The arms H and l2 are exed in a direction toward each other by a pressing engagement, the male die member 2S co-operating with the aperture i8 to perforate the sheet.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawing, when the sheet is removed from the perforator and unfolded, the perforations are equi-distantly spaced from the center fold of the sheet, the fold being indicated by the dot and dash line A-A, and are spaced a standard distance as indicated by the dot and dash line B-B from the binding edge of the sheet as determined by lthe flange 25. The spacing of the perforations is standard to the distance between two prongs C of one standard paper fastener base D. The perforations are thus simultaneously gauged laterally and longitudinally of the sheet, equidistantly from the center thereof,

In the operation of the perforator to accommodate the spacing between prongs of a second standard paper fastener lof lesser distance between the prongs, the folded sheet 26a is disposed between the arms il and i2 of the perforator with the edge of the folded central portion resting against the perpendicularly extending portion of the projection 21%. The binding edge of the sheet is rested against the flange 25 in order to predetermine the spaced relation of the perforation fromv the edge thereof.

The position of the sheet 26a in the perforatory is shown more particularly in Figure 3, the binding edge resting against the flange 25 and thg .j edge of the folded central portion resting against the upright portion of the projection 24. Av

movement of the arms in a direction toward each other permits a co-operation of the male die member 2li with-the aperture I8 to perforate 'the sheet. When the'sheet 26a is removed and unfolded a uniform spacing from the center of the sheet as well as between holes andfrom-the binding edge of the sheet is obtained. The only diffrence between the operation just described and the perforating operation previously described is in the smaller spacing between the holes.

t is not essential in some instances to preserve the spacing from the binding edge and by reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the flange 25 does not extend as deeply as the L-shaped projection 2li and thus the binding edge of sheet 2da, instead of abutting against the flange 25,'

may extend under and beyond the flange 25gto l rest on the ledge provided by the L-shaped pro'- The same condition may result with.

rnined spacing between theperforation andthe edge of the sheet.

Referring nowmore particularly to Figure 4 of the drawing, the perforator'may be employedv to make singleperforations where the desired kwell as the proisk may also determine esy distance from the binding ledge of the sheet isl standard but the. spacing between holes is not standard. In this instance perforation locations f are determined by laying out and marking the locations 2l, whereafter the sheet is inserted between the arms i l and i2 with the binding edge resting against the end of the flange 25 of the perforator withthe marked locations being centered and viewed through the opening i3.

TWhile but a single' embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be Y i understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to .those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only'to be limitedv by the scope of thepror art and the appended claims.

I claim:

l. .A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, each of said arms having a free end portion` with an offset portion extending in a direction toward each other providing fulcrums at the junctures of the free end and offset portions for the flexing of said arms, a male die member ony one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to spring metal bent to form'OiJlOosed spaced arms;

at least one of said armsjhaving a free end portion with an offset portion extending in a direcperforate a sheet interposed therebetween, andy tion toward the other of said arms to provide a fulcrum at the juncture of the offset and free end portions for the flexing of said arm, a male die member on one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, and a projection on one of said arms extending adjacent said offset portion in the direction of the other of said arms for gauging the location of said perforation.

3. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, each of said arms having a free end portion with an offset portion extending in a direction toward each other providing fulcrums at the junctures thereof for the exing of said arms, a male die member on one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, and a projection on one of said arms adjacent the offset portion thereof and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for gauging the location of said perforation.

4. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, an annular embossment in each of said arms adjacent the free ends thereof extending in a direction away from each other and the material within said embossments being substantially conical-shaped in cross section andl extending in a direction toward each other, a male die member on one of said conical-shaped portions for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said conical-shaped portions to perforate f a sheet interposed therebetween, and means on said piece for gauging the location of said perforation.

5. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, an annular embossment in each of said arms adjacent the free ends thereof with longitudinal embossments extending therefrom over a major portion of the length of the arms, the material within the annularv embossments being substantially conical-shaped in cross section and extending in a direction toward each other, a male die member on one of said conical-shaped portions for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said conical-shaped por-l tions to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, and means on said piece for gauging the location of said perforation.

6. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, a male die member on one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, a flange formed integrally with and extending longitudinally along one side of one of said arms and in the direction of the other of said arms for engaging one edge of the sheet, and a plurality of spaced projections formed integrally with and intermediate the width of one of said arms and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for selectively engagin another edge of the sheet.

7. A perforator comprising a single piece of' spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, a male die member on one of said arms forregistration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, a ange extending longitudinally along one side of one of said arms and in the direction of the other of said arms for engaging one edge of the sheet, and a plurality of spaced projections intermediate the width of one of said arms and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for selectively engaging another edge of the sheet, said projections being of unequal lengths and at least one of said projections being of L-shaped configuration.

8. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent toy form opposed spaced arms, a male die member having a tubular projecting portion formed integrally on one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aper ture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, a iiange extending longitudinally along one side of one of said arms and in the direction of the other of said arms, one edge of the sheet selectively engaging the end of said flange or the sidewall of said flange for gauging the location of said perforation.

9. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to formopposed spaced arms, a male die member having a tubular projecting portion formed integrally on one of said arms for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms to perforate a sheet interposed therebetween, said tubular projecting portion having a V-shaped crotch in the outer end thereof, a ange extending longitudinally along one side of one of saidarms and inthe direction of the other of said arms for engaging one edge of the sheet, and a plurality of spaced projections yintermediate the width of one of said arms and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for selectively engaging another edge of the sheet.

10. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form` opposed spaced arms, a male die member having a tubular projecting portion formed integrally on one of said arms adjacent the free end thereof for registration and co-operation with an aperture in the other of said arms adjacent the free end thereof to` perferate a sheet interposed therebetween, said tubular projecting portion having a V-shaped crotch in the outer end thereof, a flange extending longitudinally along one side of one of said arms and in the direction of the other of said arms for engaging one edge of the sheet, and a plurality of spaced projections intermediate the width of one of said arms and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for selectively engaging another edge of the sheet, one of said projections being disposed adjacent the bent ends of said arms for substantially limiting the flexing movement to the free ends thereof.

11. A perforator comprising a single piece of spring metal bent to form opposed spaced arms, a male die member for registration and co-operation with an aperture adjacent the free end of the other of said arms to perforate simultaneously both portions of a centrally folded sheet interposed therebetween, a ange extending longitudinally alone one side of one of said arms and in the direction of the other of said arms for engaging a binding edge of the sheet, a projection on one of said arms intermediate the width thereof and extending in the direction of the other of said arms for engaging the edge of the folded central portion of the sheet whereby perforations are gauged laterally and longitudinally of the sheet and equi-distantly from the center thereof.

CHESTER I. WAGNER. 

